Will help Samajwadi Party chase BJP away from UP: Lalu Prasad Yadav

Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, on 5 November, said they have come to Uttar Pradesh to strengthen the Samajwadi Party and "chase away" the BJP from the state, just like they did in Bihar.

"We are in UP to strengthen Samajwadi Party. We have chased away BJP in Bihar. Just like 'geedad' (jackal) is chased away, we will chase the BJP away from UP too," Lalu Yadav said before leaving Samajwadi Party's silver jubilee celebrations.

Answering a question about the possibility of a coalition, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda said, "We are not in field here. A situation might arise after UP, Gujarat and Punjab polls. We are here to attend silver jubilee celebrations on the invitation of Samajwadi Party."

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said they have come to attend the function as they have "old relations" with Mulayam Singh Yadav and his party.

"There are no talks of coalition now. Mulayam Singh Yadav can tell better. Samajwadi Party is the bigger party here. Talking much on this will not be appropriate at this time," he said.